Cue the violins: Jonathan Carlson and Ina Chu of the Handel and Haydn Society put the classy in classical music with these adventurous cultural excursions in Boston. High-brow doesn’t mean highfalutin with these 6 artsy ideas, all guaranteed to knock your date’s ballet slippers off. – Christine Liu, Boston Community Manager

1. PERIOD INSTRUMENTS

The date: hear some of history’s greatest classical music at the Handel and Haydn Society, Boston’s oldest continually performing arts organization.

Why it’s great: Clearly at the top of our list, H&H takes baroque and classical music to the next level by performing on period instruments, so you get to hear each piece the way that composer greats such as Mozart, Beethoven, or Haydn would have intended. And if you check out Beethoven’s Fifth on March 18, 2011 at 8pm, you can swing by Symphony 8 afterward for an H2 Young Professionals reception featuring conversation with H&H musicians along with FREE food. (Want to win free tickets? Sure you do.) So to recap: breathtaking music, stimulating conversation, free food. If that doesn’t get you excited, I don’t know what will.

Want to go on this date? Click here.

2. MODERN OPERA

The date: How about we… go see some totally cutting-edge, innovative and provocative opera at OperaHub.

Why it’s great: OperaHub takes everything you know about opera and turns it on its head. Taking completely fresh, modern takes on the classics (and the not-so-classics), the company performs in a variety of intimate settings that get you closer to the music and the action. Can’t miss.

Want to go on this date? Click here.

3. ISABELLA WOULD APPROVE

The date: How about we… check out the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, one of New England’s most unique museums and date locations.

Why it’s great: The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum itself is a work of art, and its collection is one of the finest in the country. Add to the mix regular musical performances that are open to the public and you get what could add up to one of the better dates you’ll go on this year.

Want to go on this date? Click here.

4. TWINKLETOES TAKEDOWN

The date: How about we… kick it old school and go to the Boston Ballet.

Why it’s great: I’ll admit, the ballet isn’t always at the top of my “FUN THINGS TO DO” list, but Boston Ballet does it right. They’re one of Boston’s most respected organizations, and from “The Nutcracker” to “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” they’ve got something for everyone and some of the best performers in the country to go with it. It almost makes you forget that everyone is wearing tights.

Want to go on this date? Click here.

5. UP AND COMING

The date: simultaneously support the next generation of musicians and enjoy free world-class music at New England Conservatory.

Why it’s great: New England Conservatory is one of the nation’s top music schools, and it just so happens to offer a huge number of free concerts every year, featuring students as well as internationally renowned performers. Most concerts take place in NEC’s Jordan Hall, which is one of the most intimate and acoustically perfect performance spaces in the world. Hard to beat the bang for your buck.

Want to go on this date? Click here.

6. THE UNEXPECTED

The date: How about we… see what the present (and future) of classical music looks like at the Boston Modern Orchestra Project.

Why it’s great: So you think you’ve heard it all… until now. The Boston Modern Orchestra Project performs contemporary classical pieces—pieces that perhaps neither you nor your date are familiar with, so it’s sure to provide stimulating conversation for dates to come.

Want to go on this date? Click here.

Pull out all the symphonic stops with Handel and Haydn Society performances and events. After you’ve gotten proper inspiration, post a date here!

Filed Under: